Back in 1997 (I was 14yrs old – Grade 9 at school) I did the liver cleanse diet. This was to help my skin - as I struggled with acne. I did it with my mum for support – cutting out meat, dairy, wheat, sugar, etc. It didn’t phase me at the time, which I look back & think is laughable as my friends ate chocolate around me & I didn't flinch. Mum helped a lot with food prep. She is creative so the food was interesting. I do remember a lot of cauliflower...

This year I have co-facilitated 2 online juice fasts which allows you to feel supported while fasting but in the comfort of your own home.

Throughout my teens I tried a lot of things for my acne so was used to cutting out things. When I had to say goodbye to cheese I remember it being a very devastating day! My salad sandwiches no longer had flavour (or so I thought at the time...). I have learnt so much since then about awesome ways to upgrade them and add creaminess... hommus, avocado, pesto, beetroot dip, etc.

In 2010 in my final year of studying Naturopathy I remember doing a 3 day water fast. I was paralysed in bed. It was horrible! I didn't prep properly – I don’t even know what program if any I was following? I know in hindsight I wasn’t drinking enough water. I was home alone & mentally had to talk my mind into moving my limbs. It was so weird and scary. I also remember choosing to climb Mt Warning on the last day of my cleanse. Hmmm… not so smart?! So I got scared about having energy for the hike and broke my fast with something that was being cooked for dinner that night which had dairy and wheat in it (homemade pizza from memory), classic unprepared fast exit. Haha! I learnt so much from this fast. I was juicing a lot at this time - often daily. This daily routine didn't help my fast as I now know I was so unprepared physically, mentally, emotionally & understand the depth of preparation required for a smooth & easier fast.

In 2011 I was living in Perth & went to one of Tyler Tolman's weekend courses called Heal Thyself Express. Following those 2 days I kicked off a 30 day cleanse. It started with a 4 day colon cleanse and for the remaining days I ate 1 bag of pulse (mixture of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc) & organic apples if need be. I got really tired of the sweetness and just wanted green leaves. I noticed a lot during this time in relation to my hunger, the season I chose to fast (winter in Perth or just prior to), how socially ‘awkward’ it was for others - I wasn’t phased when joining people for dinner or at the staffroom table. I found the social aspect fascinating! I was there for the company but there was so much stigma (& curiousity understandably) attached to eating less or better still cleansing or fasting. This is also where my fascination of water consumption kicked in & how different I felt when really well hydrated. I was always a pretty good water drinker but drinking a lot (1 litre) first upon waking was fascinating to daily over a month. It is now a comfortable habit. I began to notice how well I felt once hydrated and how my hunger decreased. FYI: Hunger is often confused for dehydration.

With Don & Tyler Tolman in Bali working at their 7 day juice fast

2012 I attended one of Tyler’s 7 day juice fasts in Bali. I was looking for something to complement my Naturopathy that wasn’t supplement based and discovered his fast. The 7 day fast ended up being 2 days juice and 7 days water. My eczema was giving me grief at the time and the juices made it itchy, so I dived in as the environment was supportive. Holy moly! Wowza. I loved the enemas and began to understand physically, mentally and emotionally how they shifted things at another level. I released something that resembled black tar on day 4 after stopping juices and transitioning to water. Oh my the smell! It was fascinating. I remember feeling so damn happy and also gained further understanding of the body and what it can store. During this fast I gained more understanding of emotions being integrated, episodes of lethargy vs heaps of energy, dizzy spells, euphoria, etc and how to handle them confidently. I continued the water on the plane trip back to Cairns and for another couple of days in Cairns, until my house mates started cooking and I caved with coconut water & fruit. Pretty darn awesome post fast transition (exit) this time because I was mentally & physically prepared due to the education around breaking a fast. Community support filled so many of my senses while not eating along with sunshine and different daily practices. I understood the potency of support, community & 'feeding' the body in other ways. It's not just about stopping eating for those newbies out there! This is why I feel so passionate to share more on fasting and have created this event next year!

In 2012 I went back to the same 7 day fasting retreat in Bali as a volunteer and worked behind the scenes with 28 people juice fasting while doing adventure activities (to keep their minds busy) eg. whitewater rafting, hiking, etc. This was amazing to be apart of the team and learn more!

2014 I did a 21 day retreat on the Central Coast of NSW which integrated 18 days juicing. Again I did 3 days juice and the rest water because I wanted to clear my eczema – it would come and go over the years, at times really bad outbreaks and then leave for years. Through exploring fasting & understanding my body more I now understand the triggers causing it & also what has needed to be released through fasting and cleansing to allow my body to repair the eczema long term. The 18 days juicing was combined with Vipassana Meditation & Rebirthing (a breathing technique to release emotions). Full on and all complementary to each other - a whole body overhaul. I learnt more about my body and mind on this fast. Lots of emotional triggers and also the fastest clearing of a coldsore ever while fasting on water & actioning a salt flush.

4 years into my business, in 2015, I was asked to support Tyler as his Naturopath at his 30 day Heal Thy Self program in Bali. This was again fascinating to watch 16 people go deep on a juice fast (juices for a few days of preparation followed by 18 days on water). So many emotions and layers were released and processed. It was incredible to be observe and support. I really began to understand iridology from a completely different angle. Became more deeply fascinated by the metaphysics of disease and really felt in awe of what it takes to run a retreat. Bringing together so many practitioners, timetables, communication, juice/food prep, music, etc it’s all done with ease when the prep work is done – so much unseen work behind the scenes. All while keeping the mood high and emotions supported.

In the last 4 years I have done a bunch of different 3, 5 & 7 day fasts always trying something different to discover the nurture balance. Intermittent fasting has been an easy & accessible way of fasting day to day & giving my digestive system a break. An aspect of fasting I am really intrigued by as a woman. I feel we need more yin as women. Herbal teas, softness, community, etc. I feel so damn passionate about providing supportive fasts that encompass and really support the emotional needs while sticking to guidelines to get results. I simply don't believe in measuring the in-goings (juice/water) and out-goings (poo/gallstones/parasites) for results. I could talk for days about my love and fascination of fasting - oh wait I am next February!

I am excited to let you know about a supported fast I have coming up in February next year. A fully supported 4 day fast that really emphasises the pre and post aspect of fasting, while really immersing yourself in all of the beneficial aspects of a successful fast - fun, movement (yoga & qi gong), community, sunshine, hydration, education & more, with 2 qualified professionals. Check out this amazing opportunity here!

We have a special on for 2 more days to save $100! Only selected accommodation remaining. Please reach out for a 15min free consultation to answer any of your health concerns or questions around the retreat! They are available for next week only - bookings essential! Call me to book your spot. Come the start of 2018, you will be grateful you have put aside some time to get back on track after the festivities of Christmas & the New Year.

I am offering 15minute free consultations next week to answer any health concerns and questions around the retreat. Bookings essentials! Hit comment to reach out and book your spot or call me on 0438733103. I'd love to help you on your health journey.

Exercise! Who loves it? Who doesn’t so much?

It is one of those beautiful endorphin creating practices that come easily to some and not to others. The essential part to remembert is to find a form that resonates with you. Move your body, in a way you love! Exercise is an essential part of wellness and vitality as it moves blood and oxygen around our bodies also helping to motivate our lymphatic system (which cleans our blood), burn toxins and fat but most importantly make us feel amazing! SO…with all these benefits you need to find an exercise that suits you – your body and mind. I would like to share a few ideas to inspire your motivation as well as a unique form of exercise that is also anti-ageing.

Some people enjoy high intensity workouts that allow them to sweat profusely while others like to move their body in a gentler way like yoga. I personally like variety. During the course of a week I can sometimes be found bushwalking, doing yoga, rollerblading, swimming laps at the pool or in the ocean, enjoying a morning brisk walk through the lovely streets of my neighbourhood, the beach or perhaps the cane paddocks near by, dancing, riding my bike, or anything else that has been offered to me by friends that allows me to move my body. The 5 Tibetan Rites is another form of exercise that wakes up the body, increases our strength and prevents ageing. Beautiful bonus hey?! I’m going to explain what these amazing Tibetan Rites are below, but first…what do you do for exercise? Let’s brainstorm some ideas…

Various ways that you can enjoy exercising during your week may be:

Gardening

Chasing your children on the beach in the sunshine

Swimming in the ocean

Bushwalking

Swimming laps at the local pool

Meditating (although it’s not a form of exercise if you are having trouble loosing weight because you are so stressed juggling the many aspects of your life then meditation helps to bring your hormones in to balance providing many side benefits like weight loss)

Rollerblading

Going to a class at the gym (I’m not one for being inside if I can help it, so the gym doesn’t suit my regular needs, however I know it provides structure and routine for some. I also know that at certain times in my life I have enjoyed short 4- 7 week blocks at the gym allowing me to attend classes such as body attack, zumba, body balance and the like. I do love exercising to music – which is my favourite part of being at the gym)

Stretching on the grass or at the beach with your dog beside you or your favourite tunes playing

If you watch TV of an evening this a perfect opportunity to double dip and stretch while tuning in to your TV program

Climbing stairs (avoid the elevator or escalator)

Skipping (this can be a lot of fun – try and beat your last number of skips)

Riding your bike to yoga class if you live near by or perhaps to uni if you are currently studying. Enjoy functional exercise. Otherwise tee up a time to go Mountain Biking with friends at the Smithfield or on the Atherton trails one weekend (for those Cairns locals amongst us) or simply ride to the esplanade to enjoy a juice with a friend

Interval training (alternating between walking and sprinting or jogging and sprinting – try to sprint for 30secs every 3 mins, as a starting point)

Yoga (attend a class or do your own practice at home if you are comfortable with that…start with 5 sun salutations – a fabulous way to wake up our digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems…assisting with weight loss and a disease free body)

Pilates

Lift weights while talking to your partner and catching up on each others day

Squats, planks, leg lifts or your own resistance training at home

Buy an exercise dvd from Big W (or the like) and use it during the wet season or on those cool winter mornings when you don’t feel like getting out of bed

DANCING!

Sit on a fit/Swiss ball at work (to strengthen your core)

Jog

Walk to the shops or to post your letter – you don’t really need to drive do you?

5 Tibetan Rites…to ignite every cell in your body, strengthen and tone your muscles, improve mental focus, decrease pain, regulate your hormones and therefore increase longevity. Click here to find out details on how to join myself and other like minded individuals every Wednesday morning @ the Seeds Of Health Morning Activation Sessions. The 5 Tibetian Rites are apart of these sessions.

The 5 Tibetan Rites are a practice of 5 different exercises that activate and move energy through our major endocrine glands which in turn regulate our hormones. Our hormones play a big part in the ageing process. Therefore when we include these exercises daily (for best results), or weekly, into our routine, we are preventing ageing! These movements originated 2,500 years ago but didn’t become publicised and exposed to the Western world until 1939. These rites move energy through every cell in our body, open our heart and create lasting health and vitality. All it takes is around 10 minutes each day.

Here is a link to the 5 Tibetan Rites exercises if you wish to learn them yourself, or come along to my Wednesday Morning Activation Sessions at Yorkey’s Knob @ 6:15am to activate your body and mind! A fabulous way to connect with like minded individuals – just bring your towel, water bottle and a gold coin donation.

Exercise, in its many forms oxygenates our body, pushes lymphatic fluid around the body, releases endorphins which make us feel happy, connects us with community (if we exercise with others) and supports the ageing process. So either choose to introduce the 5 Tibetan Rites anti-ageing exercises into your daily routine or find a form of exercise that ignites you and makes you feel excited about moving your body. Oxygenation through exercise is vital! Review the list above for exercise inspiration or write in the comments below how you love to MOVE YOUR BODY. I would love to hear from you. Together we can inspire each other to get moving daily!

I’m loving the hot weather in Cairns and the build up to Christmas holidays with family and friends. I have to say I also LOVE the peaches that are in season at this time of year! I simply love sitting still and enjoying the smell of a ripe organic peach before launching in for my first bite

In the lead up to Christmas remember that it doesn’t need to be a time to stuff yourself silly on foods that make you feel bloated and yuck. It can be a healthy, delicious and enjoyable time with loads of whole food treats and meals to share of greater nutrition value and flavour without the awful feeling post meal. Please come in and see me for an appointment or ask if you are wanting help to ensure that you can enjoy your Christmas without the feeling of being bloated and hungover on sugar.

I’m really excited that I have been invited to assist in facilitating a juice fast in Bali, with Tyler Tolman and Don Tolman, before the year is out. Wow! What an opportunity! This father and son pair have a passion for whole foods and fasting with an emphasis on the 7 principles of health. Don has spent many years researching different cultures and their practices surrounding health. Both have the most amazing knowledge and brains. A wealth of information!

I leave for Bali tomorrow and I have been working my body towards a juice fast over the last 3 days. These initial steps of transitioning to raw allow the body to begin detoxing with lighter, cleaner foods before stepping in to the realm of just juice and water. For the first 2 days I have eaten only raw foods (eg. raw zucchini pesto pasta, lots of fresh fruit (watermelon, peaches, pineapple), dairy free/sugar free smoothies, acai bowls, lightly steamed broccoli, kombucha, etc). Today I have transitioned on to juices and will continue on that while taking a colon cleanse powder blend with bentonite clay in it, to assist in drawing toxins out. It goes without saying that hydration is key also! I always have 1L of water upon waking and ensure that my fluids are kept up during the day. I am consuming an easy 3L plus per day at the moment.

I will stay on this juice cleanse prior to arriving in Bali as I am wanting to be at my best to assist in the facilitation of the juice fast (i.e. I don’t want to be detoxing myself). I am there to support others during their fasting experience and therefore want to be feeling on top of things by Saturday. It is common to find the first 3 days of juice fasting the most challenging, hence why I have started on raw and transitioned to juice in the week leading up to the community juice fast in Bali, beginning on Saturday.

The group of people gathering together in Bali will be from all walks of life, with different health histories and different daily practices. The detox symptoms of each and every one of them will be different. If you are choosing to join us via the virtual online juice fast, please remember this and be kind to yourself. We are all unique.

A supportive community makes a juice fast so much easier! Come and join in the fun…here is the link to join the FREE 7 day juice fast in Bali, online…

Fasting gives the digestive system a break allowing it to rest and repair. This regenerates the organs and gives the body an opportunity to cleanse. With the emphasis on the 7 principles of health (hydration, air, exercise, whole foods, passions, relationships and sunshine) along with enemas the body is able to cleanse and repair. A can’t wait to support and share in this experience with others, over the next week!

I am looking at facilitating a juice fast in Cairns next year. It is such a perfect location surrounded by delicious tropical produce. If you are interested in joining the juice fast or have a great idea for a venue please reply below, comment on my Seeds Of Health Facebook page, email (janellecarolyn@gmail.com) or call me (0438 733 103).

Tyler and Rachelle Tolman have hosted many online juice fasts this year allowing the online community to grow with 1700 members currently. It is a place where you can ask questions and share your thoughts. A perfect platform to fast from if you are unable to join us in person. Good luck if you’re choosing to join us on this amazing journey of fasting, which starts this Saturday!

I’m really looking forward to assisting those who are joining us in Bali this Saturday! I also look forward to sharing my experience on the other side

By Janelle.

Janelle Twine, naturopath, herbalist, female wellbeing specialist. Janelle developed her practical philosophy for health via extensive travel and training. Having spent many years immersing herself in different cultures; from living amongst native Indian’s in Canada, to studying with Ayurvedic doctors in India, as well as observing traditional farming practices in Papua New Guinea and at high altitude in Nepal. Janelle understands the simplest path to supporting women to best health. With a deep connection to people, indigenous cultures and the body’s innate healing systems, Seeds Of Health – empowered daily choices – endeavours to grow a community of strong and connected individuals.

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Seeds of Health

Janelle Twine is an expert in naturopathy, nutritional medicine, western herbal medicine and education. She will support and guide you in your journey to your most vibrant health possible!

Janelle’s philosophy of health has grown with nature and nurture. Her first awareness was that of her mum’s own journey with diets, cleanses and other health modalities - all in the pursuit of vitality and longevity. All in all a success, avoiding her and her children any major health crisis - but overall very confusing. And so the seed was planted to simplify the formula for healthful living.

Janelle developed her practical philosophy for health via travel and education. Having spent a considerable amount of time immersing herself in different cultures; from living with Cree Indian’s in Canada, to learning from Ayurvedic doctors in India, as well as farming riverside in Papua New Guinea and at high altitude in Nepal. All in all you can trust that Janelle has done the miles to resolve the universal health myths and know the simplest path to your best health.

Janelle compliments this experience with education. Her studies see her specialise in naturopathy (Naturopath Adv.Dip), nutritional medicine (Nutritional Medicine Adv. Dip), western herbal medicine (Western Herbal Medicine Adv. Dip) and education (B.Ed). As a natural educator Janelle will empower you with the seeds of knowledge to know what is best for your body in your time; inspire you to grow your own food where possible; enabling you to nourish your body with a diet full of nutritious plants and seeds.